Lumbar traction apparatus



y 20, 1958 L. M. STABHOLC 2,835,247

LUMBAR TRACTION APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filld Aug. 28, 1956 INVENTOR.ll/fiW/lt M. 6745/9016 A rrae/vs Y5 BY I l M y 0, 1958 L. M. STABHOLC2,835,247

LUMBAR TRACTION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fINVENTOR.

6 L Z/DW/K M. sway/01c United States Patent Q LUMBAR TRACTION APPARATUSLudwik M. Stabholc, Nathania, Israel Application August 28, 1956, SerialNo. 606,592

Claims. (Cl. 128-78) This invention relates generally to surgicalbraces, and is'more'particularly concerned with a lumbar tractionapparatus for applying traction tothe lower lumbar region of the spinefor the purpose of curing back-bone diseases (lumbar region) andespecially disc-herniation.

A primary object of invention is to provide lumbar traction apparatuswhich incorporates means including beltassernblies to be disposedinspaced vertical relationship about the lower and upper waist portions ofa patienumeans extending therebetween for applying force or-tractionlongitudinally of the spine of a patient, and further including alordosis' pad assembly for controlling the forward convexity of thespineof a patient.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is toprovide inlumbar traction apparatus of the character involved means foradjusting said apparatus to conform to individuals of varying stature.

Other objects and advantages of the invention in conformance with thatsetforth reside in the specific structuraldetails of the novelcooperating structure of the same.

These together with other objects and advantages which Willsubsequentlybecome apparent reside in the details of construction and operation asmore fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure ,1 is a rear elevational view .of a persons body showing thenovel lumbar traction apparatus disposed thereon, and showing in dottedlines the position assumed when traction is applied therewith;

Figure 2 is a side elevational *view of an individual upon which thelumbar traction apparatus is applied, againqshowing inrdotted lines theposition assumed by the apparatus when traction is applied;

Figure 3 is an-enlarged rear elevational view of the novel lumbartraction apparatus;

Figure 4,is a top plan view of the lumbar traction apparatus lookingsubstantially from line '44 of Figure 3, portions being broken away andshownin section for clarity;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 3,portions being broken away and shown in: section for clarity;

Figure.6 is a sectional View taken-substantially on line 6-,6 of Figure3, portions being broken away and shown in section forclarity;

Figure 7nis an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyonline 77 of Figure 3; and

Figure .8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken sub stantially on line8--8 of Figure 7, portions being broken away and shown in section forclarity.

Referring to the drawing in detail, a patient upon which the novellumbar traction apparatus is to bedisposed is indicated, generally at P,said patient having disposed .between.his upperand lower waist portionsthe novel lumbar traction apparatus indicated generally at It).

2,835,247 Patented May 20, 1958 The lumbar traction apparatus comprisesalower or fixed support belt assembly 12, said belt assembly comprisinga pair of arcuate plate elements 14 and 16 which include overlapped endportions 18 and 20, respectively, which incorporate thereinlongitudinally extending slot portions, see Figures 3 and 6, which haveextending therethrough a suitable wing nut and bolt assembly 22permitting longitudinal adjustment of the belt assembly 12 foraccommodation of patients of varying girths. The plate elements 14 and16 have disposed thereon suitable padding 24- for preventing chafing ofthe patient, and have suitably secured at opposite ends flexible straps26 and 28, respectively, which respectively incorporate a plurality oflongitudinally spaced holes 30 and a buckle assembly 32. The lower beltassembly 12 is normally secured about the lower waist portion of thepatient as clearly seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Suitably secured in laterally extending relationship from the outersurface of the belt assembly 12 i. e. on the plate elements 14 and 16,respectively, are clamp sleeve elements 34 and 36 being secured tolaterally extending threaded support shafts 3% and 49 which are fixedlysecured by means of rivets 42 on the aforementioned plate elements 14and 16. The clamp sleeve elements 34- and 36 have a substantiallyU-shaped configuration, see Figure 6, opposite leg portions 44 and 46 ofwhich having a transverse bore therethrough received on the threadedshafts 3t; and 4d, and a suitable hand manipulabie adjusting nut 48which is threadedly disposed on the shafts 33 and it for urging the legportions 44 and 46 of the clamping sleeve elements 34 and 36 toward eachother. The threaded shafts 312i and 4t incorporate serrated annularbase-portion 5b which cooperates with a serrated outer surface portionon the legs 46, see Figure 6, thus the clamp sleeve elements 34 and 36may be rotated about the respective shafts 33 and 40 for accommodatingthe traction apparatus to varying postures of patients. The apparatus isgenerally adjusted and fitted to a patient, and thereafter the apparatusis dressed on the patient when the patient is disposed in asubstantially vertical erect position.

The clamp sleeve elements 34 and 36 have reciprocably disposed thereintubular guiders 5'2 and 54, respectively, which will be disposed onopposite sides or the patient, and which will be vertically adjustablewithin the clamp sleeve elements, permitting suificient longitudinalmovement for obtaining the required traction to be applied on thepatient.

Indicated generally at 56 is an adjustable lordosis pad assembly, saidlordosis pad assembly comprising a pair of arcuate plate members 57 and58 which have suitably secured on the outer surface of opposite endsthereof laterally extending clamp sleeve elements 6% and 62, re

spectively, which are circumposed about intermediate portion of thetubular guides 52 and 54, respectively, and which incorporates spacedclamp legs 64 and 66 including transverse internally threaded alignedbore portions receiving therethrough an adjustable clamping screw 68.The-plates 57 and 58 have juxtaposed on the outer surface of adjacentends theerof opposite ends of an arcuate support plate 70 incorporatingspaced longitudinally extending slot portions 71 which receivetherethrough the bolt portion of wing nut and bolt assemblies 72extending integral from the outer surface of thexa'djacent ends of thearcuate plates 57 and 58. Relative longitudinal movement between theplates 57, and 7t? may be obtained to accommodate the lordosis padassembly to different size patients. Suitably secured on the outersurface of the plate member 70 is an internally threaded support sleeveelement '74 through which extends a threaded adjustable shaft member 75whichextends through a suitable aperture in plate "/6. A suitableadjusting handle '78 is secured on the outer end of the shaft '76, theopposite end of said shaft 76 having secured thereon a suitable abutmentpad 80 for engaging an intermediate portion of the spine and beingadjustable toward and away from the spine by manipulating the handle 78for effecting and forward convexity of the spine of the patient.

Indicated generally at 82 is an upper or movable belt assembly comprisedof a pair of arcuate plate members 84 and 86 .which respectively includeoverlapped end portions 88 and 90 each of which including alignedlongitudinally extending slot portions through which an adjustable wingnut and bolt assembly 92 extends. The plate elements 84 and 36 aresuitably padded at M and 96 at their terminal ends and have integrallysecured thereto flexible belts 98 and we, respectively, the belt 98including a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings or apertureportions 102 engageable with a suitable buckle assembly We on theflexible belt 100. The upper belt assembly 82 will be circumposed aboutan upper waist portion of the patient P, and as will subsequently becomeapparent force transmitting rods are provided wherein the upper beltassembly 82 will be moved to the dotted line position shown in Figures 1and 2 applying traction to the spine of the patient.

The plate elements 8 and 86 have suitably secured on an outer surfaceportion thereof laterally extending clamp sleeves 166 and 1%,respectively, which incorporate a transverse threaded portion receivingtherein a clamping screw 110 which is engageable with an intermediateportion of a force transmitting rod 112 and 114 which may be verticallyadjusted in the clamp sleeve elements 196 and 103 in which they arerespectively supported, being adjusted by manipulating said clamp screwslit). The force transmitting rods 11?; and 114 are telescopicallyreceived within the tubular guides 52 and 54, respectively, each of saidrods including on the outer surface thereof longitudinally disposed gearrack portions 116 and 118, respectively.

The tubular guides 52 and d incorporate on the upper .ends thereof meansfor extending and retracting the force transmitting rods 112 and 314within the tubular guides 52 and 54, respectively, said means beingindicated generally at 120 and 122, being identical, and accordinglyonly one of which being described in detail.

The tubular guides 52 and 54 incorporate in the upper ends thereof adiametrical notch portion 124, see Figure 7, and has secured on oppositesides of said notch portion leg portions 126 and 123 of a supportbracket indicate-d generally at 130. Extending transversely andjournaled in aligned aperture portions in the leg portions 126 and 128is a support shaft 131 which has secured on an intermediate portionthereof a gear element 132 which is interengaged with the gear rack 118of the force transmitting rod 114. Secured on the outer end of the shaft131 is a suitable handle member 134 which may be rotated for extendingand retracting the force transmitting rod 114. It is to be understoodthat similar structure is incoprorated in the adjusting means 120 forthe purpose of adjusting the force transmitting rod 112.

The leg portion 126 of the support bracket 130 includes an integralplate portion 136 extending toward the leg portion 128 and has extendingthrough a suitable internally threaded bore portion a hand manipulablethreaded screw element. 138. which extends through a lower transverseinternally threaded bore portion 140 of a latch lever 142 which isintermediately pivoted at 144 on the outer surface of the leg portion128. The lever 142 includes a dog portion 146 which is engageable with atoothed wheel element 148 fixedly secured on the shaft 131 in alignmentwith the latch lever 142. By manipualting the screw 138 the dog portion146 of the latch lever may be urged into engagement with the toothedwheel 148 thus preventing adjusement of the force transmitting rods, andretaining said rods in a fixed position after traction has been imposedupon a patient upon which 4 the apparatus is disposed. The mechanism ofFigures 7 and 8 will permit the apparatus to be selectively adjusted tovary the amount of traction or force applied on opposite sides of apatient, thus proving useful in the cases of disc-herniation, when apatient is inclined to be bent toward one side or the other.

It will be observed that the patient may still have the ability to walkabout even after the traction apparatus has been applied.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

l. Lumbar traction apparatus comprising a lower support beltassembly-including means for fixedly securing the same about the lowerwaist portion of a patient to be treated, an upper belt assemblyincluding means for fixedly securing the same about the upper waistportion of the patient, traction control means extending between thebelt assemblies on opposite sides thereof for urging the belts apart andapplying traction to the patients lower lumbar region, and anintermediate lordosis pad assembly interposed between the beltassemblies for engagement of an intermediate portion of the patientsback for controlling forward convexity of the patients spine, saidtraction control means comprising a pair of spaced laterally extendingsleeve elements on the outer surface of the lower belt assembly, a pairof tubular guides reciprocably retained in the sleeve elements, a pairof force transmitting rods telescopically received in the tubularguides, means on the tubular guides adjustably engaging said rods forextending and retracting the same, and a pair of spaced laterallyextending sleeve elements on the outer surface of the upper beltassembly reciprocably retaining the upper end portions of the forcetransmitting rods therein.

2. Lumbar traction apparatus comprising a lower support belt assemblyincluding means for fixedly securing the same about the lower waistportion of a patient to be treated, an upper belt assembly includingmeans for fixedly securing the same about the upper waist portion of thepatient, traction control means extending between the belt assemblies onopposite sides thereof for urging the belts apart and applying tractionto the patients lower lumbar region, and an intermediate lordosis padassembly interposed between the belt assemblies for engagement of anintermediate portion of the patients back for controlling forwardconvexity of the patients spine, said traction control means comprisinga pair of spaced laterally extending sleeve elements on the outersurface of the lower belt assembly, a pair of tubular guidesreciprocably retained in the sleeve elements, a pair of forcetransmitting rods telescopically received in the tubular guides, meanson the tubular guides adjustably engaging said rods for extending andretracting the same, and a pair of spaced laterally extending sleeveelements on the outer surface of the upper belt assembly reciprocablyretaining the upper end portions of the force transmitting rods therein,said lordosis pad assembly comprising a plate member extend-' ingbetween intermediate portions of the tubularguides and including meanson opposite ends thereof for adjustably engaging the same longitudinallyof the tubular guides, a transversely adjustable shaft extending throughan intermediate portion of the plate member, said shaft including anabutment pad on one end thereof for engagement with the patientsbackadjacent the area spinal convexity is to be controlled.

3. Lumbar traction apparatus comprising a lower support belt assemblyincluding means for fixedly securing the same about the lower waistportion of a patient to be treated, an upper belt assembly includingmeans for fixedly securing the same about the upper waist portion of thepatient, traction control means extending between the belt assemblies onopposite sides thereof for urging the belts apart and applying tractionto the patients lower lumbar region, and an intermediate lordosis padassembly interposed between the belt assemblies for engagement of 7 anintermediate portion of the patients back for controlling forwardconvexity of the patients spine, said traction control means comprisinga pair of spaced laterally extending sleeve elements on the outersurface of the lower belt assembly, a pair of tubular guidesreciprocably retained in the sleeve elements, a pair of forcetransmitting rods telescopically received in the tubular guides, meanson the tubular guides adjustably engaging said rods for extending andretracting the same, and a pair of spaced laterally extending sleeveelements on the outer surface of the upper belt assembly reciprocablyretaining the upper end portions of the force transmitting rods therein,said force transmitting rods including a gear rack extendinglongitudinally on the outer surface thereof, said means on the tubularguides adjustably engaging said rods comprising hand manipulable gearassemblies engageable with the gear racks for extending and retractingsaid force transmitting rods, and latch means engageable with the gearassemblies for retaining the same in a fixed position relative to thegear racks.

4. Lumbar traction apparatus comprising a lower support belt assemblyincluding means for fixedly securing the same about the lower waistportion of a patient to be treated, an upper belt assembly includingmeans for fixedly securing the same about the upper waist portion of thepatient, traction control means extending between the belt assemblies onopposite sides thereof for urging the belts apart and applying tractionto the patients lower lumbar region, and an intermediate lordosis padassembly interposed between the belt assemblies for engagement of anintermediate portion of the patients back for controlling forwardconvexity of the patients spine, said traction control means comprisinga pair of spaced laterally extending sleeve elements on the outersurface of the lower belt assembly, a pair of tubular guidesreciprocably re tained in the sleeve elements, a pair of forcetransmitting rods telescopically received in the tubular guides, meanson the tubular guides adjustably engaging said rods for extending andretracting the same, and a pair of spaced laterally extending sleeveelements on the outer surface of the upper belt assembly reciprocablyretaining the upper end portions of the force transmitting rods therein,said belt assemblies and lordosis pad assembly including overlappingelongated sections, means on the sections of the belt assembliesaccommodating for adjustment of the width of said belt assembliesrelative to a patients back.

, 5. Lumber traction apparatus comprising a lower support belt assemblyincluding means for fixedly securing the same about the lower waistportion of a patient to be treated, an upper belt assembly includingmeans for fixedly securing the same about the upper waist portion of thepatient, traction control means extending between the belt assemblies onopposite sides thereof for urging the belts apart and applying tractionto the patients lower lumbar region, and an intermediate lordosis padassembly interposed between the belt assemblies for engagement of anintermediate portion of the patients back for controlling forwardconvexity of the patients spine, said traction control means comprisinga pair of spaced laterally extending sleeve elements on the outersurface of the lower belt assembly, a pair of tubular guidesreciprocably retained in the sleeve elements, a pair of forcetransmitting rods telescopically received in the tubular guides, meanson the tubular guides adjustably engaging said rods for extending andretracting the same, and a pair of spaced laterally extending sleeveelements on the outer surface of the upper belt assembly reciprocablyretaining the upper end portions of the force transmitting rods therein,said sleeve elements on the lower belt assembly being pivotallysupported on said belt assembly on a transverse pivot axis portion fordisposing the force transmitting rods in angular relationship relativeto the longitudinal axis of the spine of a patient wherein tractionforce applied on the patient may be differentiated on opposite sides ofthe patients back.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6,023Mellish Jan. 9, 1849 30,601 Wright Nov. 6, 1860 1,650,650 Pieper Nov.29, 1927 1,803,556 Nugent May 5, 1931

